S.D. Amarasekara vs Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka et al. – WRIT APPLICATION NO: 277/2015-2021

In the case between S.D. Amarasekara (Petitioner) and Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka (Minister of Megapolis and Western Development) and others (Respondents), the Court addressed whether a Writ of Mandamus could be issued to require the Respondents to divest land, initially acquired for public purposes, back to the Petitioner. It was determined that only the Minister in charge of State lands possesses authority under section 39A of the Land Acquisition Act to consider requests for divesting acquired property, subject to statutory preconditions. No specific relief was sought against the Minister, nor was a proper written request made to trigger the statutory discretion. The findings established that the Petitioner lacked both title and locus standi at the relevant date, and that the statutor